2024 Shad stuff

[Evan B]

I only went a couple times. Shad were caught. Not sure really how the season was overall comparatively speaking though.

 

[skyriver]

What's the verdict on 2024 shad? Shadtastic? shadpocalypse? Shadda been here in 2023? I get the vibe the big story of 2024 is spread, shadvancing into new territory....

Well, the fact I caught 2 from the Cedar and ZERO from the Columbia is a bit odd. Haha! Didn't see that one coming.
Granted I only fished 2 days on the Columbia and both days were mostly during the late morning when things usually calm down.
Of course, with shad that usually still means 10+ in a couple hours work. And most likely a 30 fish day. Not so this year! Last year was weird as well, but at least plenty of fish were caught.

So my official vote is shadda been here in 2022.

I'll be hitting the Cedar again next year mostly for curiosity. And because they fight!

 

[Evan B]

Sept 29 - I have another entry for the shad thread.

Ate a size 4 spinfish behind a 360 flasher. Because every part of this makes sense.

 

[SilverFly]

Sept 29 - I have another entry for the shad thread.

Ate a size 4 spinfish behind a 360 flasher. Because every part of this makes sense.
View attachment 128432

We really need a WTF emoji.

 

[Yard Sale]

Loco!

 

[Evan B]

We really need a WTF emoji.

Seriously. That's like 3+months later than I've ever seen or heard of a full size shad being seen or caught on the Columbia. Plus it bit something the size of its head, which also makes no sense.

 

[Matt B]

Seriously. That's like 3+months later than I've ever seen or heard of a full size shad being seen or caught on the Columbia. Plus it bit something the size of its head, which also makes no sense.

Was it below Bonneville?

 

[Evan B]

Was it below Bonneville?

Indeed. About 2mi below Beacon Rock

 

[Smalma]

American shad can survive to spawn several times so suspect that the fish in question potentially headed back to the ocean and
could be back next year. The would also account for the larger than normal head, the post spawn fish would have lost significant body mass. Think steelhead kelt.

curt

 

[SilverFly]

Seriously. That's like 3+months later than I've ever seen or heard of a full size shad being seen or caught on the Columbia. Plus it bit something the size of its head, which also makes no sense.

Would've been a head-scratcher on that rig during spring chinook season, but late September pretty much pegs the Weird-Shit-O-Meter. Maybe try skating an October Caddis on the Big-C for a super-straggler springer.

 

[Evan B]

Would've been a head-scratcher on that rig during spring chinook season, but late September pretty much pegs the Weird-Shit-O-Meter. Maybe try skating an October Caddis on the Big-C for a super-straggler springer.

And you wonder why I keep catching all the exotics offshore . Weird things happen on The Niño

 

[Wadin' Boot]

Sounds like Evan's got a new a new post Tuna destination fishery

 

[Yard Sale]

Winter Shad on cedar plugs!

 

[skyriver]

Winter Shad on cedar plugs!

On the Cedar!

 

[Evan B]

Winter Shad on cedar plugs!

I mean, that's not that much more bizarre than what I caught it on

 

[Wadin' Boot]

Outgoing Shads? Might want to try cedar plugs and flashers... any month ending in R

 

[SilverFly]

And you wonder why I keep catching all the exotics offshore . Weird things happen on The Niño

So what you're saying is, I have a chance ... to catch a bluefin on The Niño.

 

[Evan B]

So what you're saying is, I have a chance ... to catch a bluefin on The Niño.

Well, I have more exotics than Shake n Bake. I'd say your odds are good.